AHN star leaves on high note

By THOMAS SIMONETTI
Published June 5, 2005

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TAMPA - The weekend after Academy of Holy Names standout Mallory Davis participated in the region track meet, it was settled. She was trading in a successful track and field career for a skirt and a set of pompoms.

A senior, Davis' last meet would be the 2A state meet.

"I kept going, "this is my last time ever,"' Davis said. "This is my last jump.'

"All I had in my head was, "this is my last time in the blocks."'

It's not that she isn't good enough to make a college team. Many have urged her to continue her career. And she has had fun in track and field.

But Davis had a lot invested in cheerleading and wanted desperately to make the FSU cheer squad.

"Her passion is more in cheerleading," said Pamela Legg, who coached Davis for three years before resigning in May. "She was one of the team leaders as far as getting the other girls motivated and a lot of girls looked up to her. It was great to have her spirit on the team."

Davis, who participated in five events during the regular season, qualified for three at the state tournament. She finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles, her best event, and sixth in the triple jump.

Her senior season was highlighted by Academy's win at districts where she won all five of her events.

"I have to be satisfied with (the way it ended)," Davis said. "Because it's not going to happen again.

"It's sad. I'll miss it. I love the hurdles."

In the fall, Davis will be pre-med at FSU and will be on the all-girls cheer team. She says she's pretty sure cheerleading is for her, though she said she can't say rule out track completely.

"Who knows, maybe I will try to train up one summer and try out for the team," Davis said. "Never say never."